Jayawardene fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Adelaide: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for arguing with the umpires during the second final of the best-of-the-three finals of tri-series against Australia here.

Jayawardene was found to have breached Article 2.1.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "showing dissent at an umpire`s decision during an international match".

The incident occured in the 44th over of the Australian innings when Farveez Maharoof bowled a high full toss to Michael Clarke, which was pulled away to the square leg boundary for a four.

However, the umpire adjudged it as a no-ball quite late and Mahela was unhappy with the decision. He was then seen having an animated discussion with both the on-field umpires, Asad Rauf and Bruce Oxenford, who later laid out charge against the Lankan skipper.

Jayawardene admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction offered to him by ICC match referee Chris Broad.

"The actions of Mahela Jayawardene were unacceptable as the ICC code clearly states that whatever may be the situation, you have to always respect and accept an umpire`s decision," said Broad.

"It is understandable that Mahela Jayawardene felt disappointed after Farveez Maharoof`s delivery, which had been dispatched for a boundary, was also declared as a no-ball for a full toss above waist height.

"But as one of the senior most players in world cricket today and also as the captain of his side, Jayawardene must maintain a certain level of self-control and clearly his actions went beyond what would be deemed acceptable. That said, Jayawardene pleaded guilty to the offence and apologized for his actions," he added.